Plantation shutters are a beautiful and functional addition to a home, able to be tailored to a wide range of situations, needs, and aesthetic styles, but that very adaptability means that they can’t be a one-size-fits-all solution for your windows. There is a lot to consider when choosing plantation shutters for your home or business, but here at Expression Blinds, we’re here to guide you along every step of the process, making sure that you get the best type of shutters, the best materials and look, and the best fit for your individual needs.
The first question we should answer is probably this one:
Why Choose Plantation Shutters At All?
Plantation shutters are a fantastic option for those who want a more grand, elegant, or sturdy solution for their windows than blinds are able to provide, or can also be ideal for settings with a lot of space around the window. They are designed to allow you full control over the amount of light that enters the window, and can also help to regulate airflow much more effectively than blinds can, allowing you to have the windows open and the louvres angled to catch the breeze and provide fantastic ventilation without compromising on shade or privacy. This is one reason that they have traditionally been so popular in areas with hot climates – they allow the window to be open while controlling light, and the sturdy wooden slats can control even stiff breezes to keep the room beyond at an idea temperature.
They can also provide an additional strong layer of insulation against the window when fully closed, providing added protection for the window and the room beyond during storms or very cold winters, and trapping a thick layer of air against the glass to provide extra insulation to the home.
This all makes them a very versatile treatment for any window, particularly when paired with blinds or curtains for even greater control of the light flow. When completely closed, they prevent any light from getting in – with wood being completely opaque, this essentially makes plantation shutters into effective blackout blinds – and the privacy offered by that is also second to none.
What Types of Plantation Shutters Are Available?
When people imagine plantation shutters, they usually think of tier-on-tier shutters – our most popular request. However, these are actually only one of the many shutters types available – you’re bound to find one that suits you!
- Tier-on-Tier Shutters
Our most popular shutters design, tier-on-tier plantation shutters have a two-section design that makes them versatile and adaptable. You can open or close all sections, or independently open just the top or bottom shutters to control light and the amount of privacy you need.
- Café Shutters
Looking to boost privacy without cutting light? Hoping to capture a little continental riviera charm for your home? Café shutters might be the perfect answer for you. Café shutters close over the bottom half of the window only, leaving the top open, and are perfect to create a little shade by a table and chairs or a recliner. Like all our shutters, they’re available in a range of styles and colours, so you’re bound to find one that fits your décor scheme!
- Shaped Shutters
We often custom-fit blinds to irregularly-shaped windows, but did you know that we could also custom-fit shutters?
Custom-made frames and specially-shaped louvres allow shutters to be mounted to any window shape, so if you are having trouble finding an off-the-shelf shutter that fits, get in touch today! We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect solution.
- Blackout Shutters
Since plantation shutters are made from sturdy wood, it makes sense that they’d make a fantastic blackout window treatment – and they do. These shutters are specifically designed to block out the maximum amount of light and eliminate external noise, which makes them ideal for night shift workers, nurseries, or light sleepers.
- Solid Shutters
More solid and protective than other shutters types, this variety uses a single solid panel of wood instead of slats. As such, when solid shutters are closed, they block out a lot of light and provide complete privacy and considerable protection, although they are less versatile as a result.
- Tracked Shutters or Sliding Shutters
Did you know that you could have plantation shutters fitted on French doors, patio doors or bifold doors? With tracked shutters, Expression Blinds can fit plantation shutters securely and neatly against the doors without blocking the shutters from being able to open and close!
- Perfect Fit Shutters
As well as plantation shutters that are mounted outside the window, Expression Blinds can now offer a new, cutting-edge shutters design that combines the best features of plantation shutters and perfect fit blinds – Perfect Fit Shutters! Perfect fit shutters are contained in a mounting within the window frame, similar to Perfect Fit Blinds, so they take up less space than conventional plantation shutters – but they also have the same classic structure of a set of shutters, with adjustable louvres and the same timeless elegance that you’d get from plantation shutters – it’s the best of both worlds!
What Other Blinds Are Available?
At Expression Blinds, plantation shutters are actually just a small part of what we do – we also fit a fantastic range of blinds, window films and other window treatments for our customers.
In addition to plantation shutters, Expression Blinds can offer:
Electric Blinds and Smart Blinds
And more!
The links above link to full pages packed with info about the different sorts of blinds, shutters and window films available from Expression Blinds – or you can give us a call on 0161 241 9686 or click through to the Contact Us page on this site to send us a message!
Can I Buy Blinds Directly Online?
As well as fitting our made-to-measure plantation shutters, Expression Blinds also sell blinds directly online through our online sales page – so you can cut out the middleman and fit the blinds yourself, enjoying a lower price tag and the same great results you’d get from any Expression Blinds product!
The only things you’ll need to do are take the measurements necessary to ensure a good fit, and then choose the blinds you’re looking for – besides that, it’s just a few clicks until your blinds are on their way!
Once you receive your blinds, installing them is as easy as fitting any other blinds set – just pop them on to the window the same way you’d install store-bought blinds, and since they’ve been made specifically to your measurements, they should fit exactly. Then settle back and enjoy the best of both worlds: made-to-measure canal boat blinds, without the cost of a fitter.
What Can I Expect From My Free Consultation?
Your free consultation is always a no-strings attached meeting, and never a sales pitch – we never employ commission-based fitters or salespeople, so you can be confident that our fitters are dedicated to making sure that you get the best window treatment for your needs, no matter what that is. We want you to have complete confidence in our fitters and to provide the best result that we possibly can for your shutters.
So, once you’ve sent us a message on our Contact Us page, or phoned us on the number below, we’ll set up a visit at a time that suits you, and your fitter will be in and out with minimal disruption to your day. While they’re there, they’ll be able to make all the necessary measurements that they need to provide shutters or blinds that fit perfectly, and they’ll also be able to talk you through all of the varieties of shutter available, as well as the available colours and styles, and even other window treatments that you might want to pair your shutters up with, like perfect fit blinds or the new, discreet INTU Micro blinds.
You’ll also get a quote in writing on the day of the consultation, so you’ll always know the cost of the work in advance. That also guarantees that there are no extra charges or surprise hidden fees – with Expression Blinds, the price on the quote is the price you pay.
With that all done and sorted, we’ll be ready to get to work on your plantation shutters!
Where Are Expression Blinds Based?
Expression Blinds are based in a workshop in Lymm, Cheshire, and from that workshop, we’ve been providing blinds, plantation shutters and window films to the North West for more than ten years. We can fit window treatments as far as Liverpool, Warrington and Manchester, Chester, Blackburn, Stockport, Wigan & St Helens. We’re not limited to those areas, of course – we can travel to accommodate our customers, so if you don’t see your town on that list, don’t worry – just get in touch and we’ll do our best to make sure that you get the plantation shutters of your dreams!
Looking For More Information? Contact Expression Blinds Today!
You can get in contact with Expression Blinds at any time of the day using the contact form on our Contact Us page, or if you want to speak to us directly, you can call us on 0161 241 9686 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and member of our head office staff will be happy to help you. We look forward to speaking to you!
